(Photo courtesy jcbonbon via Flickr)
USA (MNN) — “Home, sweet home.” For most, the phrase conjures memories of home-cooked meals, family, favorite pets, and, perhaps some growing pains.
For SEND International North, a large house currently for sale in Galena, Alaska would be much more than a place to sleep and eat. It’d be a strategic hub for outreach, training, and more.
Here are a few things the home would host:
- Youth outreach events
- Visiting missionaries
- Ministry team meetings
- A SEND North missionary family
- Training sessions
- Short-term volunteers
Adding the home, SEND North reports, would build upon what God has been doing through them in Galena since the massive 2013 flooding.
Home sweet Galena
Two years ago this month, the tiny Alaskan town of Galena made national headlines when 90% of its homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed by flood-waters. An ice jam on the Yukon River created widespread flooding; in some places, water rose five or six feet in less than an hour.
Water damage reached several feet high in most buildings.
(Photo by SEND International)
Hundreds of Galena residents were evacuated, mostly by air, to Fairbanks or other nearby communities. A national disaster was declared, and SEND North quickly stepped in to help.
Three missionary families were living in Galena at the time; only one family had to temporarily relocate to another village because of the flood damage to their home. Together with other mission agencies and evangelical churches, SEND North’s team helped the people of Galena recover their possessions and rebuild their lives.
Believers responding to widespread needs in the name of Christ had an unexpected effect. It boosted the reputation of Galena Bible Church–SEND North’s ministry partner–in the community, and SEND North’s aviation ministry was nominated by community members for the 2014 Alaska Air Carriers Association (AACA) Emergency Response Award.
Reaching the Far North for Christ
(Photo credit SEND North)
SEND North seeks to spread the Gospel to remote Native and First Nations communities 60-70 degrees north of the Equator. This area is known as the 60/70 window, and expands from Alaska to Greenland.
Learn more about their ministry here.
Currently, SEND North partners with the Galena Bible Church to reach three distinct populations: 500 local community members; 200 students residing at the Galena Interior Learning Academy (GILA)–Alaska’s only vocational boarding high school; and 1,500 villagers scattered throughout 8 different locations.
Purchasing the Galena house would allow SEND North to continue their current ministries, as well as expand when new opportunities arise. They need your help to make the purchase. Click here to connect with SEND North.
